Update: Garden Route Wildfires

In a statement issued by the Garden Route District Municipality, on 19 January, there are currently wildfires active in the Garden Route.

Three following three (3) wildfires are still active:

Swartberg Pass Fire

Winds caused the wildfire to spread rapidly from south to north.
The wildfire spread north and over the mountain and threatened the Ou Toll House (property of Cape Nature).
A counter burn implemented by Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Fire Service and a CapeNature crew prevented it from damaging these structures.
The team is in the final stages of anchoring the line with a back burn at the northeast of “Die Top” to seal the line.
The active lines are still in the north, in mostly inaccessible terrain – broken up. It is hoped that cooler and misty weather will break it up further.

The southerly line has been contained; however, crews will monitor this area above Matjiesrivier farms.

Molenrivier, Louvain

The wildfire is contained.
Mopping up is currently performed by GRDM crews.
No structures are under threat.

Rooiberg Mountain Fire

This wildfire is active in inaccessible terrain and burning towards Baileys Peak Towers, which is about 2km away, as well as to the north towards a private game farm about 2.5km away.
Low cloud cover has set in this area as well, and the crews hope that it will have a favorable impact on the fire.

Skid units and a crew of CapeNature are monitoring this area.

Role players include GRDM’s Fire Services, Oudtshoorn Municipality Fire & Rescue Services, CapeNature, San Parks, Southern Cape Fire Protection Association, Working on Fire and relevant landowners.
Report fire-related incidents to the Garden Route Emergency Centre at 044 805 5071

Issued by Garden Route District Municipality Communications on 19 January 2023 at 20:25.

Source of Content: Knysnaplettherald